Tent



Aug. 2, 1966 c. QUEST] ETAL TENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1964 m x mg mm a r g 0% United States Patent Greg.

Filed May 1, 1964, Ser. No. 364,131 3 Claims. (Cl. 135-3) This invention relates generally to tents andmore particularly to a novel and portable frame for tents which exhibits all of the advantages desired by campers and other users thereof.

One of the primary considerations in the design of tents is that of weight. Since a tent is designed to be portable, its weight is of fundamentalimportance to the user. The size of a unit in its portable state is also a primary consideration which is largely due to and de-' pendent upon the weight. These problems of excessive weightand large size of the portable unit result from a multiplicity of structures in an effort to'provide a stable and easily erectable frame. However, in the prior known tent constructions, simplicity of parts was not attained to the optimum degree without sacrifice to the stability of the unit and the protection offered.

Furthermore, such prior structures were not easily erected at a camp site because of the complexity of the erecting structures. As a general rule, the simplerprior structures no only did not provide thestability and protection necessary in a camping structure, but were difficult to erect. Furthermore, such simplified structures did not provide the optimum in roominess.

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a tent frame for supporting a covering which is simple in design and configuration.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tent frame for supporting a covering thereon and which is of light weight for easy portability.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tent frame which is easily constructed and erected.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tent and tent frame which is stable and provides maximum protection to the elements.

These and other objects of the present invention will be more fully realized and understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective exploded view of the tent frame;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, partially broken, of the tent structures in assembled form;

FIGURE 3 is a broken sectional view showing some details of the frame construction;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken through the center uppermost portion of the tent shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of one end portion of a space bar showing a clip thereon; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the corner brackets.

Like reference numerals throughout the various views of the drawings are intended to designate the same or similar structures.

With reference to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGURE 1, there is shown the frame structure of the present invention generally designated with the reference numeral 10. Corner posts 12 consist of hollow pipes having locking wing nuts 14 extending therefrom. Anchor members 16 are disposed for receiving one end of a respective one of the corner posts and each includes a flange 18 for engaging the ground surface and a spike 20 for anchoring into the ground.

At each upper corner of the frame is disposed a corner bracket 22 having an extended portion 24 which is received inthe upper end of a respective corner post 12. Each corner bracket includes a pair of upturned flanges 26 and pins 28 forreeciving the respective space bar ends thereon. Corner bracket 22 also includes an eye member 30 for receiving a rope or cable therein for connection with the ground.

A pair of space bars or tie beams 32 are disposed at the ends of the frame and each includes at each end thereof a hole 34 and a slot 36 therein for receiving pin 28 and flange 26 respectively. Secured to the under side of each tie beam is a resilient clip member 38 which is disposed for engaging the bottom surface of a respective corner bracket. A space bar 40 is disposed on each remaining side of the frame and also includes at each end thereof a hole 34, slot 36, and clip 38 thereon for cooperating with respective corner. brackets.

Tie beams 32 include a pair of holes 42 at the centers thereof. A pair of pitch brackets 44 are disposed at either end of the frame and include a pair of pins 46 which are received inholes 42. A semi-cylindrical flange 48 engages a portion of each tie beam. Bracket 44 further includes an upturned flange member 50 and pin 52 thereon. A ridge pole 54 includes a hole 56 and solt 58 therein for engaging pin 52 and upturned flange 50 respectively. The ridge pole also includes a resilient clip member 60yfor engaging an under surface of bracket 44.

Also shown in FIGURE 1 is a roof clip 62 including a cylindrical portion 64 which is received in one end of the ridge pole and a resilient clip 66 for engaging the roof member against the ridge pole. The roof clips are also employed at each corner of the frame for engaging the ends of the roof as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

With reference to FIGURE 2, the tentis shown in its constructed condition with the sides and roof members thereon. It is to be understood that the sides and roof may be constructed of a metal such as aluminum, plastic, canvas, netting, or any suitable material for the desired protection. The illustration of FIGURE 2 shows the siding and roof members to be of a sheet material such as aluminum or plastic. Siding members 68 include slots 70 therein for receiving wing nuts 14. A window '72 and door 74 may be provided in the side members at any convenient location for the desired purposes. Roof members 76 may be provided with overlapping portions 78 which conform in shape to the ridge pole. A rope 80 is disposed in eye 30 for securing the corners of the frame to the ground.

As shown in FIGURE 3, wing nuts 14 extend through each corner post and terminate on the opposite side in a flanged or washer portion 82. A spring 84 is disposed between the washer 82 and corner post for maintaining a bias on wing nut 14. The wing nut is aligned with slots 70 in the side members during insertion thereof, and rotated degrees to bear against sidemembers 68 and hold them in place on the posts.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the corner anchor members 16 are disposed within the opened end of each corner post for securing the frame to the ground. Clips 38 are shown more clearly in FIGURE 3 as retaining the space bars in position with respect to the corner brackets. FIG- URE 4 illustrates more clearly the cooperation of the elements at the center top of the frame. As shown therein the pitch bracket may include threaded pins extending through the holes and the tie beam and engaged by a nut 86.

FIGURE 5 illustrates more clearly the clip member for retaining the corner brackets in their proper location. As shown therein, clip 38 is pivotally disposed for easy disassembly of the frame.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the corner brackets and includes a plurality of threaded pins 88 extending orthogonally from the upper surface of the corner bracket. Respective nuts 90 engage the threaded ends for securing the end of each space bar or tie beam thereto.

The principles of the invention explained in connection with the specific exemplifications thereon will suggest many other applications and modifications of the same. It is accordingly desired that, in construing the breadth of the appended claims they shall not be limited to the specific details shown and described in connection With the exemplifications thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A tent frame for supporting a covering thereon comprising a plurality of corner posts, anchor means received in one end of each of said corner posts, a plurality of corner brackets each including a pin and an upturned flange thereon, said corner brackets each disposed for being engaged by the other end of a respective one of said corner posts, a plurality of space bars disposed between respective corner brackets and each including a hole and a slot therein for receiving said pin and upturned flange respectively, a pair of tie beams, a pitch bracket secured to each of the centers of a respective tie beam and including a pin and flange thereon, and a ridge pole disposed between each of said pitch brackets, each end of said ridge pole having a hole and a slot therein for engaging respectively a pin and an upturned flange, and a resilient clip member for engaging each end of said ridge pole to said pitch bracket adjacent thereto.

;2. A tent frame for supporting a covering thereon comprising a plurality of corner posts, a plurality of Wing nuts secured to said corner posts and disposed for engaging the covering, anchor means received in one end of each of said corner posts, a plurality of corner brackets each including a pin and an upturned flange thereon, said corner brackets each disposed for being engaged by the other end of a respective one of said corner posts, a

plurality of space 'bars disposed between respective 40 corner brackets and each including a hole and a slot therein for receiving said pin and upturned flange respectively, a pair of tie beams, a pitch bracket secured to each of the centers of a respective tie beam and including a pin and flange thereon, and a ridge pole disposed between each of said pitch brackets, each end of said ridge pole having a hole and a slot therein for engaging respectively a pin and an upturned flange, and a resilient clip member for engaging each end of said ridge pole to said pitch bracket adjacent thereto.

3. A tent frame for supporting a covering thereon comprising a plurality of corner posts, a plurality of wing nuts slidably and pivotally secured to said corner posts and disposed for engaging the covering, anchor means received in one end of each of said corner posts, a plurality of corner brackets each including a pin and an upturned flange thereon, said corner brackets each disposed for being engaged by the other end of a respective one of said corner posts, a plurality of space bars disposed between respective corner brackets and each including a hole and a slot therein for receiving said pin and upturned flange respectively, a pair of tie beams, a pitch bracket secured to each of the centers of a respective tie beam and including a pin and flange thereon, and a ridge pile disposed between each of said pitch brackets, each end of said ridge pole having a hole and a slot therein for engaging respectively a pin and an upturned flange, and a resilient clip member for engaging each end of said ridge pole to said pitch bracket adjacent thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 471,848 3/1892 Ormsby 3 1,305,576 6/1919 Wilcox 1353 1,940,147 12/.1933 Sankus 13s 3 2,284,686 6/ 1942 Rupright 135-3 2,840,400 6/1958 DAzzo 1353 X 3,052,249 9/1962 Seaman et al. 1353 X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

L. J. SANTISI, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TENT FRAME FOR SUPPORTING A COVERING THEREON COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CORNER POSTS, ANCHOR MEANS RECEIVED IN ONE END OF EACH OF SAID CORNER POSTS, A PLURALITY OF CORNER BRACKETS EACH INCLUDING A PIN AND AN UPTURNED FLANGE THEREON, SAID CORNER BRACKETS EACH DISPOSED FOR BEING ENGAGED BY THE OTHER END OF A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID CORNER POSTS, A PLURALITY OF SPACE BARS DISPOSED BETWEEN RESPECTIVE CORNER BRACKETS AND EACH INCLUDING A HOLE AND A SLOT THEREIN FOR RECEIVING SAID PIN AND UPTURNED FLANGE RESPECTIVELY, A PAIR OF TIE BEAMS, A PITCH BRACKET SECURED TO EACH OF THE CENTERS OF A RESPECTIVE TIE BEAM AND INCLUDING A PIN AND FLANGE THEREON, AND A RIDGE POLE DISPOSED BETWEEN EACH OF SAID PITCH BRACKETS, EACH END OF SAID RIDGE POLE HAVNG A HOLE AND A SLOT THEREIN FOR ENGAGING RESPECTIVELY A PIN AND AN UPTURNED FLANGE, AND A RESILIENT CLIP MEMBER FOR ENGAGING EACH END OF SAID RIDGE POLE TO SAID PITCH BRACKET ADJACENT THERETO. 